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Your words in the first reading today sound like an exam, a personal quiz for each of us your follower and student, Lord Jesus.
Are we like "Stephen, filled with grace and power, working great wonders among the people?" (Acts 6:8)
Are we like Stephen who spoke with wisdom and the Spirit? (Acts 6:10)
Are we like Stephen accused falsely for echoing your teachings, Lord Jesus Christ? (Acts 6:13)
Forgive us Lord when lately we have been lacking in courage and vigor and enthusiasm in teaching and speaking what is true, what is just, what is good.
Sorry when we are no longer bothered by the many inconvenient truths prevailing these days, from the rampant disrespect for life and of the environment to our silence to injustices happening around us.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit, dear Jesus, to be bold enough like Stephen in following your life by witnessing your stance for what is right and true, just and holy. Enable us to perceive the deeper meaning of things happening in us and around us that are signs of your presence, indicating your will and mission for us.
May we work for “the food that endures for eternal life” (Jn.6:27) by first believing wholly in you as the Son of God to whom we must pledge our total and unconditional commitment.
More than receiving you as the Bread of Life in the Holy Communion, may we realize that to believe in you dear Jesus is to be like you – a bread who nourishes others with one’s total self giving in loving service founded on justice and respect for one another. Amen.
